New grants help quench local communities' thirst for healthier beverage options

Whether it is at the local library, park or school, it seems more and more of those water bottle filling stations are popping up all around Minnesota. The fast-fill stations give you a free and convenient way to fill up your reusable water bottles—and they help protect your waistline and your teeth by providing a practical and healthy alternative to sugary beverages.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recognizes that getting more people to drink more water is good news for their health and the health of the state as a whole. That is why the department has worked with local communities to install more of these water bottle fillers. MDH recently awarded a series of grants totaling $30,000 to communities across the state to cover costs to purchase new drinking fountains with water bottle filling stations. Grantees include schools, public libraries, non-profit organizations, a clinic and a senior housing development.

“Drinking plenty of water and fewer sugar-sweetened drinks helps improve and maintain your health,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “We’re pleased to see so many communities promoting health by making it easier for everyone to choose clean, safe tap water.”

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show drinking sugary beverages is linked to type II diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, heart disease and other chronic diseases. To help reduce these negative impacts, the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) providing funding that made the MDH grants possible. A full list of grantees is included below:

• Hmong American Partnership - St. Paul

• Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency - Virginia

• Mountain Lake Public Schools

• Partners in Quality Care - St. Paul

• Winona Public Library

• Perham Health

• Luverne Housing and Redevelopment Authority

• Brainerd Public Library

• White Bear Lake Area Schools

• Parkview Center School - Roseville

• Benson Schools

• International Falls Bronco Arena

• Blue Earth Schools

• New London-Spicer Schools

• Holy Cross Catholic School - Webster

• Goodridge Schools

This project was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Section 340G of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC §256g).

Minnesota State Oral Health Program

Office of State Health Improvement Initiatives

Environment Health – Drinking Water Protection